Easter. Resurrection Sunday. We call it by different names for different reasons, but for the sake of ease throughout this post, I will refer to it by the most commonly used name, Easter. My use of this term will reference the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, following His cruel and personally undeserved crucifixion only three days prior (the day we now commemorate by the name Good Friday). I ask up front that you not turn this post into a theological debate over terminology, even if there is a difference between terms on the deeper level.
While I love Christmas—as most of you know by now, one of our guest rooms is decorated year round for the holiday and is known as “The Christmas Room”—my joy in its celebration pales in comparison to the anticipation I feel for Easter Sunday. To me, celebrating Christ’s resurrection from the tomb is a way of acknowledging that this day represents the culmination of all that I believe.
Perhaps it’s the arrival of spring and its warmer weather, the rapidly approaching graduation ceremonies, or the hope of summer and its often less rigorous schedule, but right about now, schedules seem to fill with gatherings, end-of-the-school-year concerts, luncheons, added worship opportunities and church events, and more. And yes, that’s in addition to the activities that are already on our calendars.
If we’re not careful, the reason we are celebrating will be lost in the busyness of our celebrations.
This. This is why we must be intentional about making room in our schedules this week to reflect, learn, read the Scriptures (see my “Further Reading” list below), and allow the magnitude of this event to change us.
This is why we must say no to even those things which are good in order to create space for those greater reminders of the overwhelming, unconditional, undeserved, unearned love that God bestowed on us through His sovereign plan to redeem us from a hopeless future. Yes, for most of us, our normal routine—work, school, lengthy to-do lists—will continue in the midst of this week. But in the moments when you have options—when you get to choose—fix your thoughts on what took place those many years ago.
Focus on the Who
The Bible states, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NASB).
Focus on the Why
The words of John 3:16 may be quoted often, but their truth should never be taken lightly: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Focus on the What
First Corinthians 15:3-4 summarizes God’s overwhelming act of love in a few brief words: “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
Focus on Keeping Your Focus
Celebrating this eternity-impacting event is important. Take even just a few minutes each day this week to read (or listen to, by clicking on the link and selecting the audio option) one or more of the passages below. Reflect on the vast scope of its truths and its impact. Pray for God to restore to you the joy of your salvation (see Psalm 51:12) from sin through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
Choose today, sweet faith friend, to make room for Easter…in your schedule, in your mind, and in your heart.
Further Reading:
Isaiah 53 (listening time: 2:37) – The number of times I have not been brought to tears while reading this short chapter is fewer than the number of times that I have.
Matthew 27-28 (listening time: 8:22)
Mark 15-16 (listening time: 6:02)
Luke 23-24 (listening time: 6:53)
John 19-20 (listening time: 6:45)